Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has come under fire for urging the media to replace the word "rape" with "women's oppression" or "women's harassment."
His remarks, made during the inauguration of the 'Help' app aimed at ensuring women's safety in public transport, have triggered widespread criticism on social media and among activists.
During his speech, Commissioner Sajjat Ali stated, "I dislike two words, one of which is 'rape.' I request you not to use this term. Instead, use 'women's oppression' or 'harassment.' Our laws also refer to it as 'women and child oppression.' Let us avoid using words that sound unpleasant." He further urged the media to minimize the coverage of incidents that create panic or a sense of insecurity among the public, suggesting that such reports should be presented in a "reasonable" manner.
The Commissioner's comments have been met with fierce backlash. Social media users and activists have accused him of downplaying the severity of rape and failing to address the gravity of the crime. Abul Bashar, a Facebook user, criticized the Commissioner, stating, "He is trying to trivialize the crime. If the word 'rape' sounds unpleasant, will he also request removing it from the dictionary? 'Women's oppression' is a broad term that encompasses all forms of violence against women. What he is suggesting is akin to telling someone with cancer to say they are 'sick' instead of acknowledging the disease, just because the word 'cancer' might hurt his feelings."
Tamim Uzzaman, from the Facebook page "Bangladesh Against Rape and Oppression," wrote, "The DMP Commissioner is asking the media to replace 'rape' with 'women's oppression.' 'Women's oppression' is an umbrella term that can include anything from scolding a woman to committing rape. 'Rape' is a specific legal term that defines one of the most heinous crimes against women. If the media stops recognizing rape by its name, people will eventually forget the severity of this crime. Is this what the Commissioner wants? If even the police feel uncomfortable acknowledging rape, where will the victims go for justice?"
Transparency International Bangladesh's Executive Director, Iftekharuzzaman, also condemned the Commissioner's remarks, stating, "When a senior police officer asks the media not to use the word 'rape,' it is shocking and disgraceful. This stance effectively sides with the perpetrators and creates a shield for rapists."
Under Bangladesh's Penal Code and the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, the term "rape" has a clear and specific legal definition. Internationally, the English term "rape" is universally recognized and translated as "dhorshon" in Bengali. Critics argue that replacing "rape" with broader terms like "women's oppression" dilutes the gravity of the crime and undermines legal processes.
